Update: Glenn Angel at NYC Parks & More..

Glenn Angel with #1 Volunteer, Mr. Ma Kim Ping,

at Columbus Park Community Pavilion in Chinatown, NYC

Hello Everyone..

Just wanted to update all of you on what's been going on this past year with Glenn Angel. To say the least, it's been an amazing year.. and add to that, a wonderful learning and growth experience that has truly enhanced my life, my work, and my career.

Last summer was very eventful, as it started with me assisting in the running of the Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center Summer Camp in Manhattan. There were many fun activities and outdoor trips around New York for the camp youth, aged 6 - 13 yrs. old, all summer long. We all had a blast!

Glenn with a group of summer camp youth on an outing

Youth from the Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center Summer Camp
enjoy one of many outings with Glenn during the summer of 2007

The summer camp youth had plenty of time to play and compete during the summer

I was then given the great opportunity to supervise the historic Columbus Park Pavilion in Chinatown, NYC for the City of New York Parks & Recreation Dept. last October 2007. I was placed in charge of creating, coordinating, and providing recreational programming for the community youth, adults, and seniors at the Pavilion. For those who didn't know, I have been working with NYC Parks & Recreation since 2004, balancing time between my work with youth at NYC Parks, my own personal work projects, and the time I could dedicate serving the community at the center at St. John the Baptist Parish. We had planned for a number of new events and activities at CAC@SJB this year, but the opportunity to supervise and develop new programming and activities for youth, adults, and seniors at Columbus Park, for a whole different community, was a challenge and an opportunity I embraced; one that came with great responsibility and high expectations.. of myself and my work.

Assisting youth during outdoor art workshops at the Pavilion in Chinatown

Glenn with some of his afterschool program youth
at Columbus Park Pavilion in Chinatown, NYC

Glenn with happy groups of youth and volunteers from the New York Cares organization during the Saturday Art Explorers Volunteer Program at the Pavilion

Now, make no mistake, the CAC@SJB Advisory Team and those of us dedicated to keeping CAC@SJB active, now and into the future, have been meeting behind the scenes planning our next steps and our upcoming activities and events. The Center's family of community artists, poets, and musicians have been busy creating new works of art to be exhibited and performed at the Center for you and the whole community. We look forward to experiencing even more memorable moments, blessings and wonderful vibes at the Center again.. as it's always been since the Center opened in April 2002. We welcome you to come be a part of the experiences that have made our humble Center for the Arts & Culture at St. John's Church, truly, one of the hidden gems of Brooklyn.

CAC@SJB Community Artists, Jay Gonzalez, Kris Echevarria,
and Glenn Angel at the Center in May 2008


CAC@SJB family members, Rich Robles, Howard & Dorothy Folk, and Glenn at the Annual SJB Dinner in April 2008

There are some good things cooking in the oven! We all look forward to even more gatherings, meeting new talent, and making new memories to add to the wonderful ones already created at the Center over these last 6 years. The experience I've had at Columbus Park Pavilion has only enhanced that feeling even more.

Working on a new painting in the center this past May 2008

I also found time to complete a large outdoor mural in the neighborhood of my birth, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Homenaje a Mi Isla mural is located on South 3rd St. & Wythe Ave. in homage of my beloved Puerto Rico.

Working on "El Morro" for a mural in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Working on the waters that surround the island of PR

The completed El Morro and PR island scene in Williamsburg, Bklyn

But then, the summer was over and Columbus Park Pavilion was awaiting me. The facility had just gone through major renovation after more than 40 years of being abandoned and out of use. In fact, the whole Columbus Park site was renovated, and the Pavilion was part of the plan to rejuvenate the park and the community. In October 2007, we held the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Grand Re-opening of the Pavilion at Columbus Park after over 40 years of being abandoned. Well over 300 guests, community residents, city officials, and the Commissioner of Parks himself, Adrian Benepe, attended the festivities. Later in the month a group of traditional Chinese performers came to bless the Pavilion with a traditional Dragon Dance around the Park and the surrounding community, beginning and ending at the Pavilion itself. What a start!

Parks Commissioner, Adrian Benepe (far right) takes in the festivities at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Pavilion in Oct. 2007

The newly restored Columbus Park Pavilion in Chinatown, NYC

Glenn with some of the teen Dragon Dance performers inside the Pavilion

Video of the Pavilion getting a blessing for prosperity with a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance back in October 2007 - Press play

After all the festivities were over, it was time to get to work. I got right to it by creating and coordinating numerous programs, projects, and activities for the predominant Chinese community there at Columbus Park. I offered a morning program with educational games, exercises, and play time for young children and their parents / guardians. I had a good time with the children in this program myself.

I coordinated and facillitated free rec time and art therapy,for adults and seniors, self-defense lessons for teens and adults, and even offered free salsa / latin dance lessons for beginners.

Free recreation time for adults & seniors at the Pavilion

The ping-pong table at the Pavilion had many a serious game during the free recreation time for community adults and seniors

Mr. Ma Kim Ping, during the Art Therapy program, works on some Chinese lettering signs for the Pavilion

CAC@SJB Advisory Team member, Richie Robles (center) takes some free Kali Silat self-defense lessons at the Pavilion

Salsa time at the Pavilion

I also coordinated and supervised a very successful drop-in afterschool program, where we offered homework help, art projects, and free game time to youth and young teens at the Pavilion. With the Pavilion being right in the middle of Chinatown, I took full advantage of making sure the youth had many opportunities to learn about the wonderful Chinese culture in that community. I arranged for them to have first hand experiences through outings and walks through the neighborhoood, and having them enjoy some of the great festivals and celebrations in Chinatown; like the Chinese New Year celebrations in February. The youth thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they learned more about Chinese culture, traditions and the Chinatown community itself.

Video of Celebrating Chinese New Year with a group of Pavilion Afterschool youth on Mott St. in Chinatown - Feb. 2008

Glenn and some of his afterschool youth strike a pose while working an art & craft project during the Christmas holidays

Afterschool youth pose with Glenn (far right) after they complete the Spring Time banner at the Pavilion

Free recreation time for afterschool teens at the Pavilion

On top of all that, I helped organize and facillitated a number of special music events at the Pavilion featuring the Manhattan Amateur Art & Columbus Music Association. They put on a number of free traditional Chinese music and dance shows for the community throughout the year, especially on special holidays.. like Christmas, Chinese New Year, Mother's and Father's Day, and the start of Spring! They drew great crowds inside and outside the Pavilion that included community residents and tourists visiting from around the world.

My experience at Columbus Park Pavilion this past year has been nothing short of phenomenal and very inspirational. I have met a multitude of wonderful individuals, made great relationships, and got to know so much more about a vibrant Chinese community that is full of so much fascinating culture and history! I am forever grateful to all those individuals, who are now my good friends, the residents and organizations within the Columbus Park community for accepting me, assisting me, greatly supporting me, and for allowing me to help make a difference in their lives.. as they've all made in mine.

Pavilion volunteers and good friends, Wai Lam, Wen Qi Lin, Ma Kim Ping along with Glenn during the holidays at Columbus Park Pavilion

Glenn (lower left) poses with the Weitankung Exercise Group at the Pavilion

Mr. Wayne Lee (far left) and his wife with Glenn (center) and coordinating members of the Weitankung Exercise Group

I thank you so much.. and I forever think the Lord for guiding me toward each and every opportunity that allows me to share my talent, and my gifts with the greater community. I must also give a special thanks to the Manhattan borough chiefs at NYC Parks & Recreation for extending the opportunity for me to grow and succeed at the Pavilion this past year.. but most of all, for allowing me to create and be part of the new history of the Pavilion at Columbus Park.

See you at the Center at SJB real soon for the next upcoming exhibitions and special events.

Until then, peace.. take care.. and hope you enjoyed the pics.

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